I have been making updates to the shop I manage lately. Some of them
safety related. I have been here for 18 months. This is the first
shop I worked in that rhodium finishes,like most shops. We have a
ventilation issue. As of now there is no ventilation for the fumes.
But there is a powerful fan with 8 inch pipes that was
professionally installed for fumes for casting. We are not casting so
I want to utilize this vent. The fan is plenty powerful. I got an
estimate from a local sheet metal shop to redirect the pipes and
build a hood over the plating station along with a non corosive
stainless pan for underneath it all-and plexi walls. I was going to
get the work done and my GM asked if there are any OSHA standards we
should follow for venting rhodium-for our safety as well as
environment. Does anyone know if OSHA has requirements for rhodium
venting in the jewelry industry? I have seen similar setups to ours
at large chains such as Jareds. We dont want to invest in this
ventilation if OSHA tells us its all wrong. I figure its a whole lot
better than a respirator or turning your head and holding your
breath. I do like my shop to be safe as well as ergonomic-we do have
to do this every day for a long time-lets all be healthy while doing
so. Anyway-anyone have any suggestions?

My experience is that acid is a lot stronger and more harmfull.
Jewellers work with cold acid on their benck sometimes with hardly
any ventillation at all. If you can have as strong ventillation as
your planning and it covers your chemicals and solutions then your
mostly done. Then you have to keep anything dangerous locked up and
it would be good if you could restrict access to that area.

I recommend that anyone concerned about air quality in their studio
check out the Quatro products (out of Canada) available from Grobet
&/or Otto Frei -(usual disclaimers, no financial connection to
either company) - I have recently upgraded my studio and have
switched to their stand alone polishing unit, Solderpure system for
soldering areas and pickle areas, as well as the small unit for my
bench. Jet Stream Compact Dust Collector.

All units are compact, self contained, and portable - clean air is
returned to the working environment, CFM is appropriate for each
work station, motors are relatively quiet - no duct work to install.
Yes they are more expensive than a window fan or a kitchen hood -
but they are less expensive than installing ductwork - plus they do
not just remove the “bad” air, they clean it. (& they are expandable
for multiple work stations)

Both Quatro and John Frei will answer any questions about the equip.

Linda ( from Northern Ca - where the grapevines and deciduous trees
are exploding in magnificent color displays)www.lindaweiss.com